“You are the most disrespectful and arrogant man I have ever met.”
“I doubt that.” He snorted and tugged on his collar as if he was getting hot and needed air.
“Why would I want to marry someone as self-centered and domineering as you? Please, I’d rather stay single for the rest of my life.”
My father cursed in Italian, muttering threats to beat me when we returned home. Getting a beating was the least of my worries. I could heal from my injuries and be free.
But being married to Alessio Remotti would be a death sentence.
“Okay, then. We dine at eight.” Alessio turned on his heel and left the study.
“What?” Taken aback, I swooped my gaze at his father. “He wants me to stay?”
“Alessio approves.” Mr. Remotti stood with his hand extended to my father to shake on the deal.
“But I don’t approve,” I cried, wholly stunned at the turn of events.
Why would Alessio want to marry me? I wasn’t up to his standards, not that I knew what his standards were, but still. We were nothing alike and I hated him. Not hate, that was too strong of a word and I never used it. I didn’t like him enough to marry him.
“Enough, Giovanna. You’ve disgraced me enough with your mouth,” my father snapped at me.
“Leave the child alone,” Mr. Remotti said. “She’s spirited and confident. Those are excellent traits.”
“You’re too kind,” Papà replied. “She’s always been a handful.”
I lowered my head in shame. I had been a handful. Stubborn. And mouthy.
“That’s good. We wouldn’t want weak bloodlines. Let’s go have a drink.” Mr. Remotti took my hand. “Stay strong, my dear. The guard will show you to your room.” He kissed the top of my hand and left with my father in tow.
“Follow me,” the guard said. He was standing at the double doors Alessio had gone through when he bolted out.
I nodded and followed him. What else could I do? I didn’t know where anything was in the mansion, which appeared to be larger than my home.
“You heard everything, didn’t you?” I asked the man.
He grunted his reply.
Needing more information about Alessio, I did what I always did, question everything and everyone.
“Is Alessio violent toward women?”
The guard didn’t make a sound.
“Please, I must know so I can be prepared. Will he hurt me? Force himself on me when I don’t want his grubby paws anywhere near me? If you have half a heart, please help me.”
The guard continued up the stairs. His silence made me more scared than before.
A rogue tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly swiped it away before anyone saw me. I never cried in front of anyone, not even my own family.
He stopped at a set of cream double doors with decorative gold flourishing and opened both. “Be on time for dinner.”
“Can you not tell me anything?”
“You’ll be fine. Just stay as you are.” The man avoided making eye contact and left, closing the double doors behind him.
Stay as I am?What does that mean?
Stay stubborn and mouthy? That wouldn’t be difficult, but I prayed I wouldn’t be whipped for it.
